Wheeled platform system

Abstract

Platform systems can support a user at an elevated position while being drivable or mobile via wheels and a drive system. Rail assemblies can be folded or collapsed so that the platform system can be carried by a user from one location to another. Hand controls are operable by the user from the elevated position to move the platform systems across a ground surface and can have automatic braking capability. Each side of the platform system can be independently driven, thereby allowing zero point turning and other fine control maneuvers. Structures at the base of the platform system can limit or prevent tipping or tilting. A cage system can help keep a user on the platform(s). Platforms can be collapsed or stowed with the rest of the platform system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drivable platform, comprising:
 a first rail having a bottom end;   a first wheel positioned at the bottom end of the first rail, the first wheel being coupled with a first driver;   a second rail having a bottom end;   a second wheel positioned at the bottom end of the second rail, the second wheel being coupled with a second driver;   a first control assembly coupled with the first rail above the bottom end and including a first handle and a third driver;   a second control assembly coupled with the second rail above the bottom end and including a second handle and a fourth driver;   a first transmission member configured to couple rotation of the first driver and the third driver;   a second transmission member configured to couple rotation of the second driver and the fourth driver; and   a platform coupled to the first rail and the second rail;   wherein the first handle is rotatable to drive rotation of the first wheel and the second handle is rotatable to drive rotation of the second wheel; and   wherein the first wheel is rotatable independent of the second wheel.   
     
     
         2 . The drivable platform of  claim 1 , wherein the first control assembly includes a crank coupled with the third driver and with the first handle. 
     
     
         3 . The drivable platform of  claim 1 , wherein the first wheel is rotatable in an opposite direction from the second wheel by operation of the first and second control assemblies. 
     
     
         4 . The drivable platform of  claim 1 , wherein at least the first transmission member comprises a chain engaging with a set of teeth on the first driver and with a set of teeth on the third driver. 
     
     
         5 . The drivable platform of  claim 1 , wherein at least the first transmission member comprises an upper transmission member coupled with the first driver and a lower transmission member coupled with the third driver. 
     
     
         6 . The drivable platform of  claim 1 , further comprising a brake coupled with at least one of the first and second rails, the brake being rotatable to a position braking movement of at least one of the first and second transmission members. 
     
     
         7 . The drivable platform of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second handles automatically brakes rotation of at least one of the third and fourth drivers. 
     
     
         8 . A driving apparatus for a mobile platform, comprising:
 a rail;   a drive system extending from a bottom end of the rail to a position above the bottom end of the rail;   a wheel connected to the drive system at the bottom end of the rail;   a crank arm rotatably coupled to a portion of the drive system at the position above the bottom end of the rail; and   a handle coupled to the crank arm and movable between a first position and a second position relative to the drive system;   wherein with the handle in the first position, a brake limits rotation of the crank arm; and   wherein with the handle in the second position, the brake is released, and the crank arm is rotatable to drive the drive system.   
     
     
         9 . The driving apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the handle is biased to the first position. 
     
     
         10 . The driving apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the handle is rotatable between the first position and the second position within a plane intersecting an elongated dimension of the crank arm, the first position being angularly offset from the second position. 
     
     
         11 . The driving apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the handle is translatable perpendicular to an elongated dimension of the crank arm to move between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         12 . The driving apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the handle is translatable parallel to an elongated dimension of the crank arm to move between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         13 . The driving apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the brake comprises a pin movable between a braking position engaging a plate of the drive system while the handle is in the first position and a released position spaced away from the plate while the handle is in the second position. 
     
     
         14 . The driving apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the plate radially extends relative to an axis of rotation of the crank arm. 
     
     
         15 . The driving apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the brake is released by rotating the handle from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         16 . A wheeled platform, comprising:
 a first assembly including:
 a first pair of spaced apart rails; 
 at least one rung extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails; 
 a first pair of wheels coupled to respective bottom ends of the first pair of spaced apart rails; and 
 a first pair of hinge portions coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails; 
   a second assembly including:
 a second pair of spaced apart rails; 
 a second pair of wheels coupled to respective bottom ends of the second pair of spaced apart rails; and 
 a second pair of hinge portions coupled to the second pair of spaced apart rails, wherein the first pair of hinge portions and the second pair of hinge portions are coupled to each other to form a pair of pivotable hinges movable between a first position in which the first pair of rails extends at a non-parallel angle relative to the second pair of rails and a second position in which the first pair of rails extends parallel to the second pair of rails; and 
   at least one platform coupled with and extending between the first assembly and the second assembly below the pair of pivotable hinges.   
     
     
         17 . The wheeled platform of  claim 16 , further comprising a drive system including:
 a rotatable handle at an upper end of at least one of the first and second assemblies; and   a drive link configured for transferring a torque applied to the rotatable handle to at least one wheel of the first pair of wheels or at least one wheel of the second pair of wheels.   
     
     
         18 . The wheeled platform of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one platform is pivotable relative to the first and second assemblies. 
     
     
         19 . The wheeled platform of  claim 16 , wherein at least the first pair of spaced apart rails is adjustable between a first length configuration and a second length configuration, the first length configuration being shorter than the second length configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The wheeled platform of  claim 16 , further comprising a spacer bar system extending between a bottom end of a rail of the first pair of spaced apart rails and a bottom end of a rail of the second pair of spaced apart rails, the spacer bar system having an adjustable length.